In this course, 25 percent of a student's grade depends on class participation. To help students prepare for class participation, a list of questions (such as the list below) will usually be provided. Different questions will be assigned to different students, and each student will usually write one-page paper (or, at most, two pages) on the question assigned to him or her. However, to help all students "warm up" to this course, there is an ungraded paper assignment on Thursday, January 9. Write a one-page paper (at most, two pages) in which you answer question 3, below.

As indicated in the syllabus, the readings for Tuesday, January 7, are Chapter 1 in the Alter textbook and the article, "The Line Takes the Leadership" (by John Rockart). Also do the readings for Thursday, January 9, which are the Mrs. Fields' Cookies case and Chapter 2 in the Alter textbook. Yes, this is a great deal of reading. As for how much of the reading you need to understand in depth, you simply need to understand enough just to answer the questions below. In fact, you should look over the questions below before you read the case, the article, and the textbook; this should help you focus your efforts when you are reading.

To get ready for the case discussion on Thursday, be ready to provide answers to all three of the following questions. Prepare some written notes for yourself (not to be handed in), just in case you are called upon to answer question 1 or question 2 in class. Remember that your ungraded paper assignment will consist of just an answer to question 3.

1. The effective management of an information system involves more than just technology (hardware, software, and networks). It also involves the information, the participants, the business process, the products/services, and the customers. For Mrs. Fields' Cookies, describe each element in the WCA framework: (a) the technology (hardware, software, networks), (b) the information, (c) the participants, (d) the business process, (e) the products/services, and (f) the customers.

2. In his article, Rockart discusses four eras of information-systems management. What era or eras are present in the information-systems management at Mrs. Fields' Cookies?

3. Explain why you believe Mrs. Fields' Cookies to represent a "success story" or a "failure story" about the use of an information system in a company. Justify your answer.